No matter the network or cast, we all expect follow-up seasons once a series gains traction and top-shelf reviews. It’s only fitting for our movie-loving appetites to be fed, but that’s not the case for The Alienist, a period piece that aired initially on TNT in January 2018. Critiques labeled the show an addictive, suspense-filled, and horror spawn work of art, but since season 2, The Alienist: Angel of Darkness, was aired, we’ve heard nothing about another season.
The series follows psychiatrist/alienist Laszlo Kreizler (Daniel Bruhl), illustrator John Moore (Luke Evans), and an ambitious NYPD secretary Sara Howard played by Dakota Fanning. The trio, thrown together by a line of horrific killings, play detectives with (or without) the not too forthcoming NYPD to find the person behind the grisly murders.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
As of right now, season 3 has not been confirmed, but the show also hasn’t been canceled. Expect the unexpected, but an announcement that the show has been canceled and after years have passed would be heartbreaking. With the ongoing pandemic and its strain on the movie industry, it’s safe to assume TNT may be waiting until our own real-life horror show ends. Nonetheless, season 2 ended with our trio going their separate ways, but a murder that’s vile enough may surely bring the band back together. In that case, and with the growing suspense, if a third season airs, we’ll be too relieved to continue being angry about the long wait.
Can There Be a Season 3 Without Daniel Bruhl?
TNT
Daniel Bruhl, who plays Laszlo Kreizler and the leader of sorts among the lead trio, delivered a performance that was so spectacular we can’t imagine anyone else being the stoic therapist. Throughout the years, we’ve seen actors do their job so well, they become known for a singular character, and Bruhl has solidified his place as such an actor. But this wasn’t his first rodeo because he played another memorable role as Baron Zemo in the Avengers franchise.
In The Alienist, Laszlo worked as a children’s therapist to start, but because of his skill to understand the twisted inner workings of the human mind, he was pulled into the world of crime. But as keen to detail as Laszlo was, to solve murders set beyond human comprehension, working alone wasn’t an option. Despite his uptight and cold personality, Laszlo gained the respect of his fellow detectives, Sara and John, and the trio faced many life-altering and threatening moments together. But unknown to some viewers, Bruhl’s wife is a real alienist.
RELATED: Best Psychological Thriller Movies of the 2010s
“My wife is an alienist for real, so she always gave me great advice and things to read. And she also pushed me to do a hypnosis session,” Bruhl said during an interview with Town & Country. Season two of the show revolved around the mystery of a baby being abducted, which later led to the mother being wrongfully killed. Although a part of the cast, the genuine danger presented in the show resonated with the actor. “I could tell from my wife’s reaction that the second season resonated much more than the first one. Without criticizing the first season, obviously, with her being a mother and me being a father of a little boy and expecting our second child to be born very soon, we were very touched by it.”
Bruhl helped pave our path into the human mind, and we’re eager to see him reprise his role as Laszlo in the future.
Dakota Fanning and the Power of Women
Dakota Fanning delivered a stunning performance as a driven, determined, and downright scary at times powerhouse. So much so, many viewers have voiced their interest in a spin-off, with her story being at the center. Although a secretary, Sara (Fanning) had the same brawn, wit, and brains as Laszlo to see what others couldn’t. Although her place among John and Laszlo wasn’t accepted to start, along with her job at the NYPD, both men soon realized and admitted that Sara was no ordinary woman.
The Alienist, being set in a time in our history when women were kept on the back burner and perceived to not be on the same level as men, gave us a character that challenged those beliefs. Sara proved time and again that wearing a dress didn’t take away from her bravado and ability to stand up for herself, think for herself, and be a true detective. In all honesty, Sara is the female version of Laszlo as the duo, although cold, is levelheaded and believes in true justice.
RELATED: Period Movies from the 2010s That Had the Best Costumes, Ranked
The Alienist was picked up by Netflix, which gained the series further attention. Therefore, with no cancelation insight, we’ll continue to re-watch the aired seasons until the writers and producers at TNT decide to stop torturing us. Sit tight, ladies and gentlemen. The Alienist isn’t over yet.
